View full sizeCleveland Cavaliers Kyrie Irving was named starting point guard on Monday morning

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Woke up this morning thinking of late Sixers' PA announcer Dave Zinkoff, who punctuated many of Julius Erving's dunks with the simple call of -- "Errrrrrving." Those "rrrrrrr"s seemed to hang in the air almost as long as Doctor J did.

Zinkoff's work came in the days before pyrotechnics belched from the tops of scoreboards and baskets. Erving was the star, of course, but Zinkoff's style added some flair to the moment.

Rookie Kyrie Irving is not a dunker, but he gets to the rim with regularity and it will be interesting to hear how Cavs PA man Olivier Sedra handles those baskets. One thing we know for sure is Ahmad will get a chance to introduce Irving on Monday as the starting point guard as the Cavaliers host the Toronto Raptors at The Q.

Coach Byron Scott, who started Ramon Sessions in the two preseason games, notified his point guards of his decision this morning. He spoke to the veteran Sessions and simply told Irving to "put a red (practice) jersey on." The starters wear red ones.

"It’s a great feeling," Irving said. "Honestly, it really didn’t matter to me if I started or not. Me and Ramon are two great point guards. Either way I think we will both bring the same intensity. . . . It’s great to start tonight, but it’s still about the team."

Scott said having Sessions anchoring a young second unit is important. After Sessions and Daniel Gibson -- who have nine years of NBA experience between them -- Samardo Samuels, Alonzo Gee and Tristan Thompson have a combined three years.

While Scott named Irving his starter, he's still looking for more from his point guard on the defensive end. He was beaten off the dribble several times in the two exhibition games against Detroit. Irving concedes it's more than that.

"I've got to get used to coach's tactics," Irving said. "I've got to get used to the spacing of the NBA game still and where to be and what my defensive assignments are. (Scott) just wants me to pick it up a little more. It’s going to be a continuous process."

Regardless, it's a big night for Canadian basketball at The Q. Tristan Thompson, the highest-drafted Canadian at No. 4, will make his NBA debut. Meanwhile, center Jamaal Magloire will become the first Canadian to play a regular-season
game for the Raptors.

At last report, the game was not sold out, but they should have a strong crowd on hand.

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